Too Much Trouble

So, I decided to look into reconstruction again. First I called the Breast Center. They won't give me an appointment till I get all my paperwork in. I filled out a health history and sent it in. Then they wanted all the medical reports. Seems strange to me that they don't request them themselves, but OK. I had to call to get a few I was missing.

Then the financial lady called. She ran my insurance. I have a 2500 deductible for out of network, and then it pays 50%, The total cost of the three phases of this surgery is over 100K. Now I am no math whiz, so she told me that my share of the first phase would be 30K.

She did say they have financial aid, and payment plans, and don't worry we'll get you set up.

Meanwhile, when I called my surgeon's office to request a report, the person I talked to told me about another plastic surgeon who IS in network, and does this procedure, and works with my surgeon (who would do the mastectomy). So we're looking at $55 copay vs 30-30K, less whatever "financial aid" is available and plus finance charges, what to do, what to do.

I called the network guy to set up a consult. After 30 minutes shuffled around on hold, I decided to let my doctors office do it for me today. She also got shuffled around on hold, was able to give them my insurance info but finally was told that the ONE person who makes the appointments for 10 doctors in 4 different towns was, and I quote, "BUSY".

(Ya THINK????!?!??!?!)

So now I get to wait for a phone call, it's been 3 hours already and of course I can't leave my phone in case I miss it. Hooray!

Also the local office only sees people on Friday. I happen to be busy for the next few Fridays. I can do it THIS Friday, but next I will be doing GS day camp, the next I will be at college orientation for #2, the one after that would be OK, then the next is Cub Scout Day camp which I am directing and it's my big week.

Then it will be July. I wanted to actually HAVE the surgery in July, so that I would be recovered in time to take my kid to college in September and work in the concession stand and all the stuff I want to do. It's not going to be convenient, any later than July.

I'm not saying I want to forget it, but I wonder. I wonder if it's really worth all this trouble when what I really want to do is just LIVE. Do I really need it? I don't want to wait till next year because then it will cost an extra $2500, but do I really want to worry about that amount of money when the alternative was 30-50K?

Seriously, I just want to get on with my life!! I am so tired of all the BS and hoops. I just want to live my life. WHy is that so complicated.